Title Bout

July 19, 2023 By in Fayetteville Politics 1 Comment

Fayetteville’s got a decision to make. Charles Evans announced that he will challenge Mayor Mitch Colvin in this fall’s election.

Dynasty?

After he was first elected Mayor in 2017, Colvin never faced a serious challenge. Here’s Colvin’s vote share in the last three elections:

  • 2017: 59%
  • 2019: 95% (unopposed)
  • 2022: 62%

The North Carolina Constitution allows you to run for a local office as long as you want. There are no term limits. Unlike other executive offices, like President or Governor, a Mayor can keep his job as long as he keeps getting votes. It seemed as if Colvin would hold the seat for as long as he wanted it.

Ding-Ding

Enter Charles Evans. There are maybe a handful of politicians in Cumberland County with the experience and name recognition to pose a threat to Colvin. Evans is at the top of that list. He served on the City Council, was a County Commissioner for over a decade, and carries a name that is sprinkled through the history books of Fayetteville like pine pollen in April.

People know Evans. People know Colvin.

Fayetteville politics just got interesting again.

Throwing Money Around

May 24, 2023 By in Fayetteville Politics Leave a comment

One of these is not like the other:

DPAC – Durham, NC

Seats: 2,800

Square Footage: 103,000

Cost: $46,000,000

Price Per Square Foot: $353.85

Proposed Fayetteville Crown Event Center

Seats: 3,000

Square Footage: 131,500

Cost: $131,703,300

Price Per Square Foot: $1,001.55

Our local leaders have selected Metcon, a minority-owned company out of Pembroke, to build our new Crown Event Center.

Metcon also built our jail, so we got that going for us.

Time to Get our Tax Dollars Back?

March 27, 2023 By in Fayetteville Politics 4 Comments

A few years ago, I posted a poll. Here’s the results:

Today, this was published by the Fayetteville Observer:

Where’s Our Leadership?

One would think that if our Mayor and City Council voted to pay 18 Million Tax Dollars into a public-private partnership with a development company, and then the development company failed to develop, that our Mayor and City Council would do something to try to get our money back.

One would think.

A River

December 21, 2022 By in Uncategorized 2 Comments

My brother was married this Fall in Sun Valley, Idaho. I wrote a short poem for the occasion in the style of Ernest Hemingway, a resident of Sun Valley and favorite of mine. Merry Christmas everyone.

A man and a woman stood by a river.   “Where does it lead?” the woman asked.  The man looked far to the West.  He could see only the bright spots where the bends caught the morning sun.  “I don’t know,” said the man.  “But I would like to see.  I will build a raft if you will come with me.”  And the man built a sturdy raft.  He tested it in the shallows, and when he was satisfied, he reached out.  The woman took his hand, and stepped on.  

A man and a woman journeyed the waters of time.  The banks widened with the flush of infant creeks.  Summer brought slow water and memories and they gained little distance.   Winter loosed the cold rains, and snags tore at their lashings.  “I wish I could build another raft,” the man said.  “But I’m older now, and we’re past the good timber.”  “I love you,” answered the woman.  And she fastened the beams tight with shards of her dress and locks of her hair.  White flowers lined the shores of another Spring. 

A man and a woman stood in starlit sand where a river mixed with a purple sea.  The moon rose and cast a ribbon of light across the depths before them.  “Where does it lead?” the woman asked.  “I’ve only dreamt of such places,” said the man.  “But you were with me in those dreams.”  “I’m with you now,” the woman said.  “And I, you,” the man answered.  

And he pulled the raft from the shallows into the waves, and satisfied, reached out.

The woman took his hand.

M. Richardson (2022)

$97,000,000 and a New City Council

October 20, 2022 By in Fayetteville Politics 1 Comment

I just voted. If you do the same and you live in Fayetteville, you’ll be asked to vote “yes” or “no” to four different questions.

The back of the ballot looks like this:

Bonds = Debt

Our city leaders want to borrow $97,000,000 for various projects in Fayetteville:

  • $60,000,000 for Public Safety
  • $25,000,000 for Streets and Sidewalks
  • $12,000,000 for Housing Benefits

Most people are in favor of public safety, good roads and sidewalks, and affordable housing. However, is it a good idea to borrow close to $100,000,000 as we head into a potential recession? Moreover, can we trust our current leaders to spend the money in an effective and efficient way? A recent example is the parking deck across from City Hall. We borrowed close to $20,000,000 to help construct the deck and have little to show for it in the form of economic development. It just sits there, rarely used, as we continue to pay to park each time we go downtown.

Bonds have to be paid back over time, with interest. If these bonds pass, a tax increase is likely to follow. Vote accordingly.

Charter Amendment = More Representation

At-Large seats on our city council would be a tremendous benefit to our political system. The proposed change gives voters more choice and will increase interest and turnout in our local elections. It would also force candidates to build consensus and appeal to the entire city to get elected. Encourage everyone you know to vote “YES” to the last item on your ballot. This graphic illustrates the proposed change:

Early voting started today. Get out and do your part.